Monday, March 10, 2008

fairmount park postcard contest

Fairmount Park in Philadelphia has a call out for digital images of the park, to be used for a new postcard series. The ten winning entries will be printed professionally, with the name of the photographer on each. The cards will go on sale later this spring at the park's LOVE shop, which takes its name from one of the park's most famous landmarks, the Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture. The deadline is April 15. For details and entries, go to http://www.fairmountpark.org. Click on the LOVE button.

I apologize - the rally is Wednesday the 16th. Here is the official announcement:

Philadelphia Parks Alliance

And Allies and Supporters

Invite you to join us for a

RALLY to SUPPORT $3 MILLION for PARKS

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

12 noon (Rain or Shine)

City Hall

(Northeast Corner)

The Philadelphia Parks Alliance and its hundreds of supporters and allies have won major progress toward more funding to revitalize our parks.

Mayor Nutter has proposed a $3 million increase ($2.5 million for Fairmount Park and $500,000 for Recreation Department) for the coming year. In addition, Mayor Nutter has proposed a 46% increase of the Fairmount Park budget over 5 years, from its current $13 million annual budget to $19 million. With City resources to parks flat-lined for decades, this is the first time in years the budget includes a major increase for parks. The increase would be funded through a proposed increase in the parking tax, which City Council must approve.

Now it’s time to win support in City Council so they approve the $3 million for parks.

This is major progress!!! One year ago in April, the Parks Alliance launched a city-wide citizens inspection of parks and then held a hearing on its findings “Parks in Trouble”. Mayor Nutter has made good on a campaign promise to expand funding for parks - his first budget includes $3 million new dollars - a terrific first step toward full and adequate investment into one of Philadelphia’s greatest assets - its parks.